Self pressurizing liquid fuel burning apparatus



l. N. VANT 3,101,770 SELF PRESSURIZING LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUSAug. 27, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 22, 1959 JNVENTOR. [fiADOEE MVA/VT ATTOQ/VEY l. N. VANT 3, 7

SELF PRESSURIZING LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUS Aug. 27, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 22, 1959 INVENTOR. [3ADOPE A. VA/VT UnitedStates Patent 3,101,770 SELF PRESSURIZING LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARATUSIsadore N. Vant, 654 Hudson Drive, Santa Clara, Calif. Filed June 22,1959, Ser. No. 821,824 16 Claims. (Cl. 158-32) It is an object of thepresent invention to provide an 7 improved igasoline stove which isself-pressurizing and self-regulating.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a gasoline stove ofself-pressurizing, self-regulating variety which is small and compact,eflicient in use, etc.

The above and other objects of the invention will be apparent from theensuing description and the appended claims.

Certain forms of my invention are shown by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in vertical longitudinal section and partly inside elevation of the stove of my present invention. The view is shownwith the end covers of the duel tank removed to reveal certain interiorelements more clearly.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the stove of FIG- URE l, with a portionbroken away to reveal certain concealed elements of construction.

FIGURE 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, but on alarger scale than that of FIGURE 1, showing in detail the constructionof the burner assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a modified form ofpressure regulating assembly.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 55 or"FIGURE 2 but on a larger scale.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2,the self-pressurizing, self-regulating gasoline stove there shown isgenerally designated by the reference numeral 10. It comprises aright-hand tank 11a and a left-hand tank 1112, using right and left asthey appear in FIGURE 1. The two tanks 11a and 11b are joined togetherby means including tubes 12 which are welded, brazed or otherwisesecured to the tanks 11a and 11b. The tubes 12 serve not only asmechanical connectors but also to provide liquid communication betweenthe tanks. Legs 13 are also provided which are welded, brazed orotherwise suitably secured to the bottoms of the tanks 11a and 11b. Atop plate or cover 14 is provided which is secured to brackets 15 whichin turn are fixed to the tanks 11a and 11b. Hinged handles 16 areprovided which, when elevated to the position shown in broken lines inFIG- URE 1, serve as supports for vessels which are heated on the stove.I

A burner assembly is shown which is generally desig nated by thereference numeral 17 and which will be described in detail hereinafterwith particular reference to FIGURE 3.

Referring now to FIGURE 5 as well as FIGURES 1 and 2, the left-hand tank11b is provided with a fitting 18 having an interior thread to receive athreaded plug or closure 19 to which a hinged bail or handle 20 isattached. It will be seen that the fitting 16 has a rim 18a Whichprojects above the level of the tank 1111 so that a tube 25 can connecttherewith for a purpose described hereinafter. 'Fhe tube 25 is bentaround the tank 11b as shown in FIGURE v1 and terminates just above andclose to a cup as (see FIGURE 1) which contains a wick material 27 suchas asbestos.

Referring again primarily to FIGURE 1 it will be seen that avolatileliquid fuel such as .gasoline is contained in the tanks 11a and 11b,there being a vapor space 29 above the liquid in each of the tanks. Thevapor spaces 29 of the tanks 11a and 1112 are communicated with oneanother by tubes 36a and 3% shown in FIGURES l and 3. The tube 36in hasa branch 31 which has an important pressurizing and regulating functiondescribed hereinafter.

Still referring primarily to FIGURE 1 a bellows member 4d is providedwhose closed lower end is connected to a rod 51 and Whose open upper endis secured by a sealing member 4-2 to the top of the tank 11a. A partialcover member is provided at 43. The enlarged lower end 4 3 of the rod 41is tubular and is threaded inside 7 to receive the threaded upper end ofa valve stem 45 having a valve member 46 at its lower end. As will beseen the valve member 4 6 is formed with a slot to receive a screwdriverso that adjustment can be made. That is, by screwing the stem 45 fartherinto or out of the tubular end 44 of the stem 41, the valve d6 can beadjusted. The valve stem 45 passes slidably through an opening in avalve chamber 47 Whose conical upper end 48 is intended to mate with andform a sealin engagement with the valve 46. The lower end of the chamber47 is threaded to rewive a screw 49 which can be removed for purposes ofcleaning, inspection, disassembly and reassembly. if desired the screw49 may be soldered to prevent its removal and tampering with the settingof valve 46. The chamber 47 also communicates with a liquid fueltrans-fer tube 50 having an important function described hereinafter.

Referring now principally to FIGURE 3, the burner assembly 17 comprisesa burner cup 55 formed with openings 56 to admit primary air to mix withfuel vapor, and at its top it is formed with a lip 55a. A short lengthof tubing 57' is fixed to the bottom portion of the burner cup 55 and itis threaded internally to receive a threaded member 53 having a widenedmidportion 59. The lower threaded portion of the member 58 is inthreaded engagement with a somewhat longer tubular member 60 which has aclosed lower end as illustrated. The tubular member all forms a vaporgenerating chamber 66a. The member 53 is formed with an axial passage 61which is of reduced diameter near the top at d2 and is threaded at itsupper extremity to receive a threaded orifice member 63 formed with asmall orifice 64. A porous filter 65 is provided which is lodged in thelower, wide portion of the axial passage 61. A rod 66 is provided whichextends slidably through the filter 65 and terminates in a needle point67 [for a purpose described hereinafter. The lower end of the rod 66 isthreaded to a link 75 which receives an eccentric projection 76 formedon a valve member 77.

The connection between the eccentric member 76 and the link "I5 issufiiciently loose and/ or the latter is sufficiently flexible that,when the valve operating member '77 is rotated, the rod -66 will move upor down according to the direction of rotation of the member 77.

As will be seen, at its outer or left-hand end as viewed in FIGURE 3 thevalve member 77 is formed with a squared socket 77a to receive a key 78which is attached to the stove by means of a bead chain 79. The valvemember 77 is threaded into a housing Sil to which a cap 80a is threadedto retain the various parts in place. The housing 8% is formed with anopening 8?. connecting with the tube 31 and, as is best shown in FIGURE1 it is also formed with an opening 33 connecting with the tube Stl. Aswill be seen from an inspection of FIGURE 3, the housing 80 is formedwith a valve seat 84 and the valve member 77 is formed with a matingshoulder 85. As will be seen, the forward or inner portion of the valvemember 77 is of substantially smaller diameter than the housing 80.Therefore there is communiaction between the tubes 31 and t) and thegenerating chamber 60a except when the valve member 77 is turned to seatthe shoulder 85 against the seat 84.

In operation the tanks 11a and 11b are filled with gasoline, preferablynot quite to the top. The plug 19 is removed and the tank 11]) is tippedto the left as viewed in FIGURE 5 so that some of the fuel will flowinto the tube 25, thence onto the wick material 27 in cup 26. The plug19 is then inserted and tightened. The fuel in the wick is ignited, aswith a match. The key 7 8 will have been rotated to turn the valvemember 77 to its closed position. This same movement will also elevatethe rod 66 so that its upper portion enters the orifice 64. During suchmovement, and during the subsequent retractive movement describedhereinafter, the needle point 67 will clean the orifice, therebymaintaining it free from obstruction.

The heat from the burning fuel in the wick 27 will heat the liquid fuelin the vapor generator Gila and will raise the vapor pressure. After ashort period of preheating and pressure generation in this manner, thekey 78 will be turned to open the valve member '77 and to retract therod 66 from the orifice 64. The issuing fuel vapor .will mix with air inthe burner cup 55 and the fuel vaporair mixture may be ignited With amatch unless it ignites automatically from the preheating flame.

From thence on the burner will be self-operating and self-pressurizingby reason of the fact that heat from the burner will heat the tanks 11aand L1!) and the vapor generator 6011, thereby maintaining an adequatevapor pressure. Also, during normal operation vapor pressure will becommunicated from the generator 60:: through tubes 31 and 30a to thetanks 11a and 11b. Burning will, therefore, continue without the need toapply pressure by external means such as an air pump.

It may happen that the heat from the burner will overheat the metalparts of the apparatus and that the vapor pressure developed will tendto become excessive. Such, however, is counteracted and an automaticthrottling action is effected by the bellows 40 and associated elements.It will be apparent that the pressure on the interior of the bellows 40is atmospheric pressure while the pressure on the exterior of thebellows 40 (that is to say, within the tank 11a) will be the vaporpressure of the fuel. Should this vapor pressure tend to becomeexcessive it will act against the opposing atmospheric pressure and willraise the rod 41 and with it the valve 46. The supply of liquid fuel tothe generator 66a will. therefore, be diminished, and it will becompletely cut off when the valve member 46 seats against the conicalportion 48 of the valve chamber 47. When this occurs the only supply offuel for operation of the burner will be through the tubes 30a and 31.This supply of fuel vapor will be consumed quickly, thereby reducing thevapor pressure very rapidly and avoiding excessive rise in vaporpressure. As the vapor pressure diminishes, the bellows 40 will reopenthe valve 46, or will open it more widely.

It will, therefore, be apparent that an automatic, selfpressurizing,self-regulating operation results. When it is desired to shut the burneroff it is merely necessary to turn the key 78 to its closed position.

Referring now to FIGURE 4 an alternative form of pressure regulatingmechanism is there shown. The righthand tank #1111 is illustrated, tothe top of which is fixed a shell 90 which forms a chamber 91 which isclosed over by a diaphragm 92.. To the center of the diaphragm 92 isfixed a tubular member 93 within which is threaded the upper end of arod 94. The rod 94 extends slidably into and through the upper end of atubular member 95. The lower end of the rod 94 is formed with a shoulder97 and a coil spring 98 is compressed between the upper end of thetubular member and the shoulder 97, thereby tending to hold the rod 94and associated elements in a relatively downward or lowered position. Avlave member 99 is threaded into the lower end of the rod 94 and isintended to mate with the conical seating portion 100 of a cooperativevalve member 105. A housing 106 is provided which provides a liquidchamber 107, the lo 'er end of which is closed by a plug 108. Thechamber ltlea has a lateral opening 109 which connects with a liquidtransfer tube such as that shown at St) in FIG- URE 1.

In operation a stove equipped with the self-regulating mechanismillustrated in FIGURE 4 will operate similarly to that illustrated inFIGURE 1 and described hereinabove. It will be apparent that theatmosphere acts against the top surface of the diaphragm 92 and thatvapor pressure in fuel tank 11a acts on the under surface. When thevapor pressure tends to become excessive the vapor pressure will act onthe undersurface of the diaphragm 92, thereby moving the rod 94 upwardlyand with it the valve member 99, bringing it closer to the valve seatuntil actual seating occurs, in which case the supply of liquid fuelsupply to the burner will be cut off completely.

It will, therefore, be apparent that a novel and very advantageous typeof gasoline burner is provided. It is simple in its construction, it isvery compace and convenient to carry about, and it is selfpressurizingand self-regulating.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising a burner for burninga mixture of fuel vapor and air, a fuel vapor generator for convertingliquid fuel to fuel vapor, said generator being heated by said burner, afuel tank for holding a supply of liquid fuel, means connecting saidtank to said generator to supply liquid fuel to the generator, a valvefor controlling such supply of liquid fuel, pressure responsive meanslocated within said fuel tank acted on by the difference between fuelvapor pressure and atmospheric pressure, means connecting said pressureresponsive means to said valve to control the latter and to move thevalve to and from closed position as the 051161 vapor pressure increasesand decreases, and means connecting said pressure responsive means tosaid generator to apply fuel vapor pressure to the pressure responsivemeans.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure responsive means is abellows.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pressure responsive means is adiaphragm.

4. Apparatus of the character described comprising a fuel tank having alower portion for holding a supply of liquid fuel and having an upperportion for holding fuel vapor, pressure responsive means in said upperportion acted on by the differences between atmospheric pressure and thefuel vapor pressure, a liquid fuel outlet in the lower portion of thetank, a valve for controlling the outflow of liquid fuel through suchoutlet, means interconnecting said pressure responsive means and saidvalve to regulate the latter automatically to reduce the outflow ofliquid fuel as the fuel vapor pressure increases, a burner for burning amixture of fuel vapor and air, a vapor generator in heat exchangerelation to said burner to convert liquid fuel to fuel vapor, meansconnecting said generator to said burner to supply fuel vapor thereto,means connecting said generator to said fuel outlet to supply thegenerator with liquid fuel, and means connecting said generator to theupper portion of said fuel tank to transmit vapor pressure from thegenerator to the fuel tank. I i

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pressure responsive means is abellows.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said pressure responsive means is adiaphragm. i

7. Apparatus of'the character described comprising a burner assemblyincluding a burner and a vapor generator in heat exchange relation tosaid burner, said generator being also connected-to said burner tosupply fuel vapor thereto, a fuel tank, a liquid fuel outlet-in thelower portion of said tank, means communicating said outlet with saidvapor generator to supply liquid fuel thereto, a valve for regulatingsaid outlet to control the rate of liquid fuel supply to-the vaporgenerator, a bellows in communication on one side with the atmosphereand on the other side with vapor in the upper portion of said tank,means for communicating vapor pressure in said generator with the upperportion of said tank, and means connecting said bellows and said valveto operate the latter to diminish the supply of liquid fuel whenthevapor pressure in the tank becomes excessive.

8, Apparatus. of the character described comprising a burner assemblyincluding a burner and a vapor generator in heat exchange relation tosaid burner, said generator being also connected to said burner tosupply fuel vapor thereto, a fuel tank, a liquid fuel outlet in thelower portion of said tank, means communicating said outlet with saidvapor generator to supply liquid fuel thereto, a valve for regulatingsaid outlet to control the rate of liquid fuel supply to the vaporgenerator, a diaphragm in communication on one side with the atmosphereand on the other side with vapor in the upper portion of said tank,means for communicating vapor pressure in said genenator with the upperportion of said tank, and means connecting said diaphragm and said valveto operate the latter to diminish the supply of liquid fuel when thevapor pressure in the tank becomes excessive.

9. A self-pressurizing, self-regulating gasoline stove comprising a fueltank, a bottom outlet for said tank, a

burner assembly having a top burner and a vapor generator therebelow forvaporizing liquid fuel by absorption of heat from the burner andsupplying fuel vapor to the burner, means connecting said generator withsaid bottom outlet to supply liquid fuel thereto and means alsoconnecting said generator to the topof said tank to apply the vaporpressure created in the generator to the top of the fuel tank, apressure responsive member :at the top of said tank acted on by theatmosphere on one side and by fuel vapor on the other side, a valve foropening,-

closing and regulating said bottom outlet and means interconnecting saidpressure responsive member to said valve to control the same.

it). A self'pressurizing, self-regulating gasoline stove comprising afuel tank, a bottom outlet for said tank, a burner assembly having a topburner and a vapor generator therebelow for vaporizing liquid fuel byabsorption of heat from the burner and supplying fuel vapor to theburner, means connecting said generator with said bottom outlet tosupply liquid fuel thereto and means also connecting said generator tothe top of said tank to apply the vapor pressure created in thegenerator to the top of the fuel tank, a bellows at the top of said tankacted on by the atmosphere on one side and by fuel vapor on v the otherside, a valve for opening, closing and regulating said bottom'outlet andmeans interconnecting said bellows to said valve to control the same.

the vapor pressure created in the generator to the top of the fuel tank,a diaphragm at the top of said tank acted on by the atmosphere'on oneside and by fuel vapor on the other side, a valve for opening, closingand regulating said bottom outlet and means interconnecting saiddiaphragm to said valve to control the same.

12. A self-pressurizing, self-regulating gasoline stove comprising afuel tank; a burner assembly comprising a burner for burning a mixtureof fuel vapor and air, an orifice for injecting fuel vapor into theburner, a valve for opening and closing said orifice, a fuel vaporgenerator in heat exchange relation to the burner to heat liquid fueland vaporize the same and a preheater for burning a small quantity offuel in close proximity to the generator while said valve is in closedposition to generate a starting pressure; and pressure regulating andfuel supply means comprising means connecting the generator with saidtank to supply liquid fuel to the generator, means connecting thegenerator to the upper portion of the tank to apply vapor pressure tosuch upper portion, a control valve for controlling the outflow ofliquid fuel to the generator, a pressure-responsive member in the upperportion of the tank acted on by'the difference between atmosphericpressure and the fuel vapor pressure in the tank, and means connectingthe pressure responsive member and said control valve to diminish thesupply of liquid fuel to the generator when the'fuel vapor pressurebecomes excessive.

13. Self-pressurizing liquid fuel burning apparatus comprising aplurality of substantially duplicate tanks for liquid fuel rigidly fixedin predetermined relatively closely spaced relation andintrecommunicating respectively adjacent the upper most and lowermostregions thereof to equalize the level of the liquid fuel in said tanksand the pressure of the vapor in the uppermost regions of said tanksabove the level of the liquid fuel therein, a generator rigidly fixed inpredetermined relation to said tanks and having an inlet, a burnersupported in heat conducting relation to said generator and in heatradiating relation to both said generator and said tanks, means forestablishing communication between the inlet side of said generator andboth the uppermost vapor containing and the lowermost liquid fuelcontaining regions of said tanks including a valve adjacent the bottomof one of said tanks in the .means communicating with the inlet side ofsaid generator and pressure-responsive mechanism in the same tankautomatically operating said valve in response to variations in thepressure in the vapor-collecting uppermost region of the said tank, whensaid pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

14. Self-pressurizing liquid fuel burning apparatus comprising aplurality of substantially duplicate tanks for liquid fuel rigidly fixedin predetermined relatively closely spaced relation andintercommunicating respectively adjacent the uppermost and lowermostregions thereof to equalize the level of the liquid fuel in said tanksand the pressure of the vapor in the uppermost regions of saidtanksa-bove the level of the liquid fuel therein, a generator rigidlyfixed in predetermined relation to said tanks and having an inlet, aburner supported in heat conducting relation to said generator and inheat radiating relation to both said generator and said tanks, means forestablishing communication between the inlet side of said generator andthe liquid fuel containing lowermost region of said tanks, a valve insaid communication means to out 01f the flow of liquid fuel to saidgenerator when the pressure in said tanks exceeds a predetermined value,pressure-responsivemeans operatively associated with a said tank andexposed to the pressure therein, said pressure-responsive means beingoperatively associated with said valve for operating said valve inresponse to pressure variations in said tank, and means for maintaininguninterrupted communication between said generator and the space in saidtanks above the level of the liquid fuel therein when said burner isoperating.

15. Self-pressurizing liquid fuel burning apparatus comprising aplurality of substantially duplicate tanks for liquid fuel, a generatorfor vaporizing liquid fuel, means for rigidly fixing said tanks andgenerator in predetermined spaced side-by-side relation including meansfor interconnecting the said elements to equalize the level of theliquid fuel in said tanks and the pressure of the vapor in the space inthe uppermost regions thereof above the level of the liquid fuel thereinand to connect said generator to :both the liquid and vaporized fuelcontaining regions of said tanks, a burner supported in heat conductingrelation with said generator and in heat radiating relation with bothsaid generator and said tanks substantially equally spaced from thelatter, and means for controlling the flow of fuel through the saidinterconnecting means between said tanks and said generator including amanually operable on-ofl? valve for starting and stopping the operationof said burner, a valve in said interconnecting means responsive to thepressure in the said tanks for controlling the flow of liquid fuel tosaid generator when said manual valve is open, said lastnamed valverestricting the flow of fuel to said generator when the pressure in saidtank exceeds a predetermined value, and pressure-responsive meansexposed to the pressure in said tank and connected to said last-namedvalve for operating said last-named valve in response to pressurevariations in said tanks.

16. Selfapressurizing liquid fuel burning apparatus comprising aplurality of substantially duplicate tanks for liquid fuel, a pluralityof pipes rigidly fixed adjacent the opposite ends thereof to said tanksin open communication therewith fixedly to secure said tanks inpredetermined spaced relation at substantially the same elevation and toestablish communication between the spaces in the lowermost liquid fuelcontaining regions and the uppermost vaporized fuel containing regionsof said tanks above the level of the liquid fuel therein to equalize thelevel of the liquid fuel in said tanks and the pressure of the vapor inthe spaces above the level of the liquid fuel, a generator forvaporizing liquid fuel, piping to connect said generator to the liquidfuel containing region and the uppermost vapor containing space in atleast one of said tanks and rigidly to fix the generator upon an axispassing through the approximate midpoint of the space between said tanksa burner centrally supported by said generator above the space betweensaid tanks but in sufficiently close proximity thereto radiantly to heatsaid tanks, said burner being directly connected to said generator toheat the same by conduction as well as radiation and means forcontrolling the operation of said apparatus including amanual on-offvalve for starting and stopping the operation of said burner, a valvecontrolling flow of liquid fuel in said piping to said generatorautomatically responsive to variations in the pressure in said tanks soas to restrict the flow of fuel to said generator when said manual valveis open and pressure-responsive means exposed to pressure in a said tankand operatively associated with said last-named valve for operating saidlast-named valve.-

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSSimonson Marfll, s

14. SELF-PRESSURIZING LIQUID FUEL BURNING APPARTUS COMPRISING APLURALITY OF SUBSTANTIALLY DUPLICATE TANKS FOR LIQUID FUEL RIGIDLY FIXEDIN PREDETERMINED RELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED RELATION ANDINTERCOMMUNICATING RESPECTIVELY ADJACENT THE UPPERMOST AND LOWERMOSTREGIONS THEREOF TO EQUALIZE THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID IN SAID TANKS ANDTHE PRESSURE OF THE VAPOR IN THE UPPERMOST REGIONS OF SAID TANKS ABOVETHE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID FUEL THEREIN, A GENERATOR RIGIDLY FIXED INPREDETERMINED RELATION TO SAID TANKS AND HAVING AN INLET, A BURNERSUPPORTING IN HEAT CON DUCTING RELATION TO SAID GENERATOR AND IN HEATRADIATING RELATION TO BOTH SAID GENERATOR AND SAID TANKS, MEANS FORESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE INLET SIDE OF SAID GENERATOR ANDTHE LIQUID FUEL CONTAINING LOWER MOST REGION OF SAID TANKS, A VALVE INSAID COMMUNICATION MEANS TO CUT OFF THE FLOW OF LIQUID FUEL TO SAIDGENERATOR WHEN THE PRESSURE IN SAID TANK EXCEEDS A PREDETERMINED VALUE,PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH A SAID TANK ANDEXPOSED TO THE PRESSURE THEREIN, SAID PRESSURE-RESPONSIVE MEANS BEINGOPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID VALVE FOR OPERATING SAID VALVE INRESPONSE TO PRESSURE VARIATIONS IN SAID TANK, AND MEANS FOR MAINTAININGUNINTERRUPTED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID GENERATOR AND THE SPACE IN SAIDTANK ABOVE THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID FUEL THEREIN WHEN SAID BURNER ISOPERATING.